Patient Consent

As implemented at Bronx RHIO, patients sign a consent at each Participant organization where they receive care, usually during the registration process. That consent enables access to the Bronx RHIO system by all Authorized Users at that Participant organization.

The Bronx RHIO stores consent decisions as communicated by each Participant organization in its consent feed and only allows authorized access.

The process for collecting, storing, and auditing consents is addressed during the Participant’s initial Bronx RHIO implementation.

Each Participant organization is responsible for maintaining the signed patient consents (paper or electronic) and conducting and/or cooperating with audits of consent documents and status, as required by RHIO policy.

The Bronx RHIO requires that staff collecting consents complete a training course and be familiar with Bronx RHIO and state guidelines regarding health information exchange.

The RHIO consent form is a NYS-approved document that is customized for each Participant to include the name of the organization as indicated. The Bronx RHIO must approve the final form before it is put into use.

There is one version of the form for facilities that offer emergency, ICU, or labor and delivery services. This version includes 3 options for the patient. The form used at all other facilities includes only 2 options, as the “emergency only” option is not included.